ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS
James Lecesne
Laura Geringer Books/HarperTeen
Fiction
ISBN: 9780061256271
480 pages

Fifteen-year-old Phoebe Hertle lives in Neptune, New Jersey with her mother, who runs a beauty shop out of their refurbished garage, and older sister Deirdre. Her father used to be with them, until the problems started; now he lives with a woman named Chrissie. While Deirdre is naturally stunningly beautiful, Phoebe jazzes up her average looks by dyeing her hair magenta. However, Phoebe doesn’t begrudge Deirdre her beauty; in fact, the siblings used to be close. But lately Deirdre has drifted away into her own secluded world, and Phoebe misses her. So the three women live together yet separately, trudging along in their routines, until their mom drops the huge announcement that Leonard is coming to live with them.

Leonard Pelkey is their 14-year-old cousin by marriage; Leonard’s mom hooked up with their uncle and then passed away. Phoebe didn’t even know they had a cousin. It turns out their uncle has decided he can’t deal with Leonard at this time in his life, so he hands the boy over to the Hertle family. None of them are thrilled, yet they accept the unavoidable. As neither Phoebe nor Deirdre offers to give up her room, the three box off an area in the basement big enough for a bed, throw up a few posters and call it good. They don’t quite know what to expect of Leonard, but there’s no way to have prepared for who arrives.

Leonard is, well, different. He shows up wearing pink/green plaid Capri pants and platform sandals, does Julie Andrews impressions and talks nonstop. Phoebe immediately throws up a barrier, determined to keep him as far away as possible and dreading what he will do to her life. She doesn’t understand why he behaves the way he does, why he doesn’t try and change, or at least hide his flamboyant differences. But that’s the special thing about Leonard --- he has the courage to be himself, despite what the rest of the world tries to dictate. And very quickly he starts to share his light with those around him: Phoebe’s mom, the customers at the hair salon, even Phoebe herself. She has no idea how much of an impact Leonard will have on their family. And then he disappears…

Thank you to James Lecesne for sharing this special book with audiences. Not only is ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS a compelling story filled with drama and mystery, it is also a tenderhearted telling of good vs. evil and of right and wrong, a celebration of the amazing differences in our world and a reminder to be true to oneself. It will remain with readers long after the last page is turned and will make them stop and think --- and maybe even change their outlook on the world.

    --- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman, author of FINDING MY LIGHT and THE BLACK POND

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